2017-2018 Keystone Resort Winter News & Story Ideas

Keystone Resort, located in Summit County, Colorado and just 75 miles from Denver, is the ultimate family resort destination and has long been the place where families rule. In winter, the ski resort boasts more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain including three incredible peaks, five above-tree-line bowls, night skiing and an in-bounds cat skiing program. Home to the industry’s-leading Kids Ski Free program, kids 12 and younger can ski and ride for free every day, all season long with just two or more nights of lodging booked through the resort, no blackout dates. Keystone’s signature Kidtopia programming elevates any visit with a variety of free, daily family offerings throughout the winter season, such as arts and crafts events, scavenger hunts, a parade and fireworks, and the world’s largest Snow Fort. Convenient touches like free designated family parking and complimentary red wagons to help parents tote gear, and tired kiddos, to and from the slopes help make a winter family visit to Keystone easy and hassle-free.

Summer Improvements, Winter Rewards
During the summer months, Keystone Resort will undertake two capital improvement projects to reinvest in the winter mountain experience. The Montezuma Express Lift, a primary lift on Dercum Mountain that serves popular intermediate and beginner ski terrain, will be replaced with a high-speed six-passenger chair that will increase efficiency and capacity by up to 25 percent, while improving skier and snowboarder circulation on the mountain. Keystone also plans to expand Labonte’s Smokehouse BBQ with a new, 190-seat indoor facility for the on-mountain dining venue – perfect for family diners. Located at the base of Keystone’s North Peak, Labonte’s is a popular restaurant serving house smoked meats and barbeque during the ski day.

The Inn at Keystone to Undergo Significant Renovation and be Rebranded to Hyatt Place Keystone
The Inn at Keystone will be rebranded to Hyatt Place Keystone in early winter 2017 following a significant renovation and repositioning of the property. The rebranding will mark the first significant hotel brand in Keystone as well as the first Hyatt select service hotel to be announced for the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The comprehensive property renovation will include a full interior makeover of all guest rooms as well as substantial enhancements to common areas, all with a modern rustic design aesthetic. Guests of the hotel will also be able to enjoy a new fitness center, an alternative grab-and-go dining option, new outdoor communal spaces and a more functional main lobby with an open floor plan.

Top of the Mountain
Keystone Resort, recognized as a top family resort destination, is often lauded as being king of the hill when it comes to family travel. In a 2017 list compiled for USA Today Travel by ZRankings, Keystone was named the top family ski resort. But don’t let us shout it from the mountains, here are some of the things that have recently been said about Keystone Resort:

“Wrapping its brand around family ski trips with a gusto that is unmatched in the industry,” USA Today.

“Home of Kidtopia, a magical, on-mountain world, Keystone’s ski school focuses on inspiring students and building confidence and skill,” Washington Post.

NEW Kidtopia Signature Event Series
New for 2017-2018, the Kidtopia Signature Event Series will feature three distinct events throughout the winter to complement the family experience at Keystone.

The Kidtopia Spectacular, Dec. 15-24, marks the first signature event of the winter and kicks off the holiday season with a bounce house party, a mountaintop celebration and lighting ceremony of the world’s largest snow fort, and an evening with Santa Claus himself.

The first-ever Kidtopia Culinary Festival debuts for the 2017-2018 winter, Feb. 9-17, with a savory lineup tailored to the youngest of foodies with cooking demonstrations, chocolate fountains, bakery tours, dessert specials and a celebrity chef event.

The Kidtopia Music Experience, March 2-10, is the last of the signature event series and kicks-off the spring skiing and snowboarding season with music-themed fun including rock ‘n’ roll themed parties and the Snow Pants Dance Party, featuring live outdoor music performances from popular kid-friendly acts.

Kidtopia: Free Family Programming Offered Every Day of the Season
Keystone’s Kidtopia continues to redefine the family ski resort experience with free activities and events on and off the snow every day of the week all season. From Opening Day through Closing Day, families have continued options outside of skiing and snowboarding to connect and create lifelong memories. The Kidtopia lineup includes activities such as the village parade and fireworks, snowball launches, ice cream parties and meeting Keystone’s Ski Patrol rescue dogs. All Kidtopia programs are free. New for the 2017-2018 season, the Kidtopia Signature Event Series will feature multi-day events with additional activities and family fun.

Kids Ski Free Makes Keystone the Place to Be
Keystone has long been the place where kids rule, and with more than 100,000 free kids’ lift tickets provided since the inception of the resort’s Kids Ski Free program in 2012, families have confidence in a program that is easy on the wallet and easy on the rules. Every day, all season long, kids 12 and younger ski for free at Keystone with no blackout dates when family’s book just two or more nights in one of Keystone’s numerous accommodation options, which span from affordable hotel rooms to family-sized condominiums. When it comes to family, no one does it better than Keystone.

Experience the Mountain Together with Keystone Ski & Ride School’s FamilyPrivate Lesson
Whether your family is new to skiing and snowboarding or you’re seasoned snow veterans, those looking to develop new skills, improve technique or explore the mountain like never before can enjoy Keystone’s Family Private Lesson together. Taking advantage of shared on-snow time, bonding is just an added bonus to these specially designed lessons. Family Private lessons can be reserved for up to six family members (or friends) of similar ability, and with instructors who specialize in working with the whole family you can rest assured that everyone’s ski and snowboard needs will be met on the snow. A Family Private Lesson at Keystone is the perfect way to create memories together and take your shared passion to the next level, so this new product is a can’t-miss for snow-loving families.

Elevated Dining Parents Will Love
While Keystone Resort offers the ultimate family destination, that doesn’t mean it’s all hot dogs and chicken fingers when it comes to resort dining. Parents, and younger ones with discerning taste, will be pleased to find that keystone is home to several top-rated restaurants, including unique mountaintop experiences paired with fine dining as well as historic establishments that offer western charm and innovative culinary creations. High atop Keystone’s North Peak and accessed by two gondola rides, the Alpenglow Stube provides fine dining at 11,444 feet – the highest AAA Four-Diamond rated dining experience in North America. Down in the cozy villages of Keystone, elevated dining experiences await as well. The Ski Tip Lodge, originally an 1800s stagecoach stop and once home to Keystone’s founders, is now a cozy bed and breakfast featuring a dinner restaurant that has been voted one of the best in America by OpenTable. The Keystone Ranch, another AAA Four-Diamond rated restaurant located in an original 1930s ranch homestead that previously served as both a working ranch and home to some of the area’s first settlers, offers a genuine Colorado steakhouse with historic charm, in an extraordinary setting. These signature Keystone dining experiences are perfect for a parent’s night out, or a full family affair.

Epic Pass Provides Worldwide Access
Available at $859 for adults, the 2017-2018 Epic Pass offers access to 45 of the world’s best mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, the largest resort in North America. Epic Pass holders will have unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; Perisher in Australia; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. Epic Pass holders will again enjoy limited access to 30 European ski resorts including Verbier and Les 4 Vallées in Switzerland, Les 3 Vallées in France; Arlberg in Austria; and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy. Each resort delivers an iconic experience, unique alpine traditions and impeccable service. Guests can purchase season passes and start planning their next winter vacations at EpicPass.com.

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